Oar protector



Feb. 8, 1949. v $TE|L|NG 2,461,092

I OAR PROTECTOR Filed NOV. 17, 1945 Patented Feb. 8, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OAR PROTECTOR 7 George H. Sterling, Minneapolis, Minn.

Application November 17, 1945, Serial No. 629,269

This invention relates tooar protectors.

It is an object of the invention to provide a pair of oar lock receiving plates which may be attached to an oar in position to receive an oar lock, and which may be so secured to the car that the-oar Will not be weakened at the point where the car lock engages the same, thereby protecting the oar from wear and breakage at the point where the greatest wear and strain is placed on the oar during rowing action.

. Another object is to provide oar protectors for use in applying pivoted oar locks to an oar, the

oar protectors being so constructed as to eliminate the use of a pivot pin running directly through the car and thereby weakening the oar at the point Where the greatest strain is imposed on the same.

A further object is to provide oar protectors for use in applying sliding oar locks to an oar, the oar protectors being so constructed as to retain the oar lock on the car, and being further so constructed as to prevent weakening of the oar at the point where the oar lock engages the oar.

The objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the views, and, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of the invention applied for use on an oar;

Figure 2 is a horizontal section taken through the oar shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating a second embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 3, as indicated by the arrows,

In accordance with the illustrated form of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2 there is provided a pair of elongated metal plates 5, said plates being of arcuate contour in vertical cross section to fit at opposite sides of the oar lock er gaging portion of a wooden oar 6. Adjacent the ends of the two plates 5 screw holes 1 are formed in the plates and the plates are adapted to be secured to the oar 6 at opposite sides thereof by screws 8 or by bolts or the like. It is preferred to secure the plates to the car by wood screws so that continuous openings through the car need not be made tending to weaken the same. It should be noted that the screws 8 form the sole means for securing the plates 5 to the car.

Intermediate the ends of the plates 5 the plates 1 Claim.

2 are provided with centrally apertured outwardly extending bosses 9 at opposite points and the heads of pivot studs l 0 fit within these bosses and the studs run through the apertures therein to project outwardly beyond said .bosses 9. These pivot studs are preferably welded to the plates so that the studs themselves cannot turn. There is also provided a forked oar. lock H the bifurcated ends of which are apertured to receive the two pivot studs Ill. Of course, the oar lock II has the usual pin portion Ila below its fork to engage in an ordinary oar lock bracket on a boat, and the oar lock is also provided with a shoulder lib above the pin portion Ha to limit the distance that the pin portion Ha can run into the ear lock bracket.

With the construction shown in Figures 1 and 2 the oar will be supported by the car lock II for turning movement about a vertical pivot in the car lock bracket of the boat, and the oar will also be supported for swinging movement about a horizontal axis on the two pivot studs l0. As the boat is rowed naturally the greatest strain on the oar is exerted at the point where the oar lock engages the oar, in other words, on a line 7 running through the longitudinal axis of the pivot studs [0. Along this line the oar has its full strength inasmuch as there is no opening through the oar as in the case of the usual oar employing a pivoted oar lock. The stress and strain imposed on the car is taken by the two plates 5 and exerted on the oar over a considerable area. Thus the two metal plates 5 strengthen the car at the portion thereof where the greatest strain is imposed on the same, and there is very little likelihood of breakage of the oar at this point. The construction also has an additional advantage over the ordinary pivoted oar lock construction inasmuch as when a pivot pin is passed directly through the oar as in the usual construction the pivot pin tends to wear away the wood of the oar and loosen, thus enlarging the pivot pin opening and further weakening the oar as well as causing inaccuracy in placing the car in the water and withdrawing it from the water during the rowing action.

Referring to the form of the invention shown in Figures 3 and 4 a device has been worked out for use in conjunction with a sliding oar lock [2. Two plates I3 are provided which are of arcuate shape in cross section and these plates adjacent their ends are provided with screw openings ll receiving screws l5 which secure the two plates to the oar II; at opposite sides thereof. Before the plates are applied to the beyond the ribs thus always confining the oarlock to its position engaging one or both of the plates l3.

With the construction shown in Figures 3 and 4 the oar can be swung about a vertical pivot on the pin portion I'Zb of the oar lock; Also the car can be rotated relative to the oar lock and can be swung about a horizontal pivot and the car has a limited sliding movement relative to the car lock 12. At the same time there is-noweakening of the oar It at any point where the carlock engages with the oar or the plates l3, and in fact the oaris greatly strengthened by the two plates 53 so that breakage of the oar cannot readilyoccur where the greatest force is' applied against the'oar. In other words, due tothe rneans'forsecuring the plates 13 to the car lfi the're is no weakening of the oar' structure through the employment of passages completely through the'oar at any point where the greatest force is exerted on the par. The plates also eliminate the'wear on the oar which results from sliding movement of the oar relative to-the car look in the usual sliding construction.

The devices of the invention have be'ensuccessfully demonstrated in practice.

It will,-.of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, orrangement and proportions of the various parts without departure from the scope of the present invention which generally stated consists of the matter shown and described and set forth in the appended claim.

What I claim is:

A pair of elongated oar protector side plates of are a es an in ra e tion ada te to fit on opposite s'idesfloi the a r lock engaging portion of at? are, said plates having oppositely disposed outwardly projecting bosses intermediate their ends, pivot studs mounted in said bosses and projecting outwardly therefrom, a forked oar lock having its forked ends respectively fiivotit-lly' engaged with said respective studs, and said" plates having means near their ends permitting the same to be secured to the oar without any other securing means between the ends of the plates.

GEORGEH. STERLING.

Date Oct; 2, 1866 Sept. 2, 1902 May 21, 1912 I Get. 22, 1-912 Franseeii Nov. 30, 1920 Smith'- June 19, 1928 Fdithiii" parents Number? 58,402 708,153 1926;654:- no zgzce {560,516 1 ,674,307

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